Ongoing Repairs Enable Kuwait Airport to Handle 190 Flights Daily
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation announced on June 22, 2026, that Kuwait International Airport has rebounded to approximately 190 daily flights following an Iranian attack earlier in the year. Acting Director General Engineer Duaij Al-Otaibi highlighted ongoing repair works and the resumption of services by multiple airlines. The progress comes as the civil aviation sector implements upgrades to enhance capacity and safety.
Al-Otaibi said air traffic is now witnessing a clear improvement, with the number of arriving and departing flights reaching around 190 flights per day. He stated that the authority continues repair and recovery work under the supervision of its leadership. The DGCA further noted that many airlines have resumed operations, contributing to the sector’s steady recovery.
An assessment by the International Air Transport Association found that the main terminal suffered significant structural damage from the strikes, potentially requiring a full year for complete restoration. Xinhua reported that the DGCA activated use of Terminal 4 for limited flights starting in mid-June after thorough safety checks. This phased approach allowed for gradual scaling of operations from an initial 40 flights daily to the current levels.
Sheikh Hamoud Mubarak Al-Hamoud Al-Sabah, president of the authority, met with Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority Director General Mishal Al-Ahmad to discuss enhanced cooperation in civil aviation and investment attraction. The two officials explored opportunities for joint projects that could support infrastructure development at the airport. Al-Sabah also held talks with the Czech ambassador regarding potential bilateral assistance in technical and operational upgrades.
Figures from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation show that the airport had been handling substantially fewer flights in the immediate aftermath of the attack, with the phased reopening of Terminal 1 on June 1 marking the start of normalized activities. The jump to 190 daily flights illustrates the effectiveness of coordinated efforts involving the Ministry of Interior and other agencies. Such data places the current operation close to pre-conflict volumes according to industry benchmarks.
The International Civil Aviation Organization provided guidelines that the DGCA incorporated into its repair protocols to ensure international standards are met. Al-Otaibi emphasized the importance of these standards in all rehabilitation and upgrade projects currently underway. Additional meetings with regional partners have focused on sharing best practices for post-conflict aviation recovery across the Gulf.
